How to Put a Braided Fishing Line on a Reel

Freshwater and saltwater anglers commonly use braided fishing lines for a variety of game fish species. Braid line is made of smaller individual strands of high-strength threads that are woven or braided together to form a round, smooth fishing line with a small diameter. Its roundness and small diameter make braid line slick. Connecting braid line to the spool of your reel requires additional attention, such as using a line and a leader.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Attach a Monofilament Backing

Things You’ll Need:

Spinning or baitcasting reel

Monofilament fishing line

Braided fishing line

Sharp scissors

Step 1

Attach monofilament line to the spool of your spinning or baitcasting reel with an Arbor knot. Tie the knot by pulling 6 to 8 inches of line around the spool of the reel. Form a simple overhand knot loop with the free end of the line so the loop goes around the main length of line.

Step 2

Continue forming the knot by tying a second overhand knot below using only the free end of the line. Moisten both knots and pull them down tightly against each other and the spool.

Step 3

Trim excess line from the free end of the knot with scissors to within 1/8 inch of the knot.

Step 4

Apply tension to the line with your hand in front of the reel and wind 10 to 15 yards of monofilament line onto the spool of your reel. Cut the line free from the filler spool with scissors.

Connect a Braided-Line Leader

Step 1

Connect the braided line to the monofilament line with a Double Uni, also referred to as a Uni or Uni knot. Begin forming the knot by overlapping the free end of the monofilament and braid line for 6 to 8 inches. Hold the lines in the middle where they cross.

Step 2

Turn the free end of the monofilament line back towards the middle forming a loop below the double line. Wrap the free end of the monofilament line around the double line and through the loop four times and pull tight.

Step 3

Repeat the tying process with the free end of the braided line. Turn the free end back forming a loop. Wrap the braided line around the double line and through the loop four times and pull tight. Hold the main monofilament and braid lines and pull in opposite directions to snug the knots tightly against each other.

Step 4

Trim excess line from the free end of both knots, apply tension to the braided line and spool the line onto the reel.

Step 5

Apply tension to the line in front of the reel and wind the braided line tightly onto the spool of the reel. Fill the reel with line to within 1/4 inch of the spool edge.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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